Safety locking cap



Nov. 1, 1955 L. s. BELL sAFETY LOCKING cAP J Filed Feb. 11l 3.955

3 Sheets-Sheet l I IL I l I l I l I l I I l I I I I I I I I|I l M lr I I I I I I l fl l l 7.2 INVENTOR Law/re na e SGBQZZ ATTORNIY Nov. 1, 1955 L.S.BELL

SAFETY LOCKING CAP Filed Feb. ll, 1955 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 x I I awrence 8.56ZZ

INVENTOR ATTORNEY Nov. l, 1955 L. s. BELL sAFE'rY LocxING cAP 3 Sheets-Sheet C5 Filed Feb. ll, 1955 INVENTOR Lawr 72085. eZ

H IIIHIIIIlIIIlIIHIIIHllHIlllIlIll ATTORNEY man-s nited States Patent Ofice ,722,32 Patented Nov. 1, 1955 SAFETY LOCKING CAP Lawrence S. Bell, Owings Mills, Md.

ApplicationFebruary 11, 1955, Serial No. 487,601

12 Claims. (Cl. 215-98) This invention relates to a safety looking cap for application to the dispensing neck of a container and which will effectively seal the container to prevent dispensing of the contents therefrom without manipulation of a part of the cap in a particular manner, to thus eifeotively seal a container so that the contents thereof may not be' readily dispensed by a child, and so that the contents of the container will not be dispensed by others through inadvertency or mistake.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a looking closure for container necks which is especially adapted for use on containers the contents of which are poisonous or may be harmful, to exclude the contents of such containers from children and to prevent others from consuming the contents through inadvertency.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a looking closure of relatively simple construction which may be economical'ly manufactured and sold yet which Will be extremely efiicient in accomplishing its intended result.

A further object of the invention is to' provide such a closure which may be made in various sizes to accommodate container necks of different diameters.

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from the following description of the drawings, illustrating presently preferred embodiments thereof, and wherein':

Figure 1` is a fragmentary elevational view, partly broken away, showing the upper portion of a container with one form of the Safety looking cap in a locked position` on the neck thereof;

Figure 2 is a sectional view, partly in elevation, taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an exploded view showing the container neck in elevation and the looking cap in section removed from the container neck;

Figure 4 is a horizontal sectional view through the looking cap, taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 4 4 of Figure 2;

Figure S is a horizontal sectional view of the locking cap, taken substantially along a plane as' indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the inner section of the l'ocking cap;

Figure 7 is a view similar to Figure 4 of a slightly modified form of the looking cap;

Figure. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of aportion of the modified form of looking cap as shown in Figure7;

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary Vertical sectional view of the looking cap as. shown in Figures 1 to 6 in an applied and locked position;

Figure 1v0 is an lelevational view, partly broken away, illustrating another form of the looking cap applied to a container neck and disposed in a dispensing position;

.Figure 11 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 11-11 of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary Vertical seetional view, partly in elevation, taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 12 12 of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is a view similar to Figure 12| but showing the cap in a closed position;

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary Vertical` sectonal view, taken substantially along a plane as indicated by the line 14-14'of Figure 10;

Figure 15 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a portion of the inner section of the cap;

Figure 1'6 is a fragmentary elevational View of a slightly modified form of the container neck, and

Figure 17 is an enlarged elevational view of a part of the inner section of the cap.

Referring more specifically to the drawings and first with reference to the form of the Safety looking cap as illustrated in Figures 1 to 6 and 9, said looking cap in its entirety is designated generallyV 20 and includes an outer section or shel'I, designated generally 21, and an inner section or neck engaging part, designated generally 22. Thev outer section or shell 21 includes a cylindrical flange 23 having a lower' end provided with an inturned annular lip 24 which, as seen in Figures 2 and 3 is provided with a notch 25. The annular flange 23 has a knurled portion or band 26 at its upper end, the upper edge` of which merges integrally with an upwardly tapered or frusto-conical'- portion 27. Said outer section or shell 21 has a substantially fl'at top 2'8 formed integral with the upper edge of the frusto-conioal portion 27, as seen in Figure 3.

The outer section' or Shell 21 also includes an inner annular wall' 29 having at its upper end an outturned substantially annular flange' 30, the outer edge of wihch is secured inany suitable' manner to the inner side of the cylindrioal flange' 23' adjaoent the upper knurled band 26 thereof. Said inner wall 29 is also provided with an outturned substantially annular bottorn flange 31 which is likewisesuita'bly seen-red to the inner side of the oylindrioal flange 23 above and spaced from but adjacent the inturned lip 24. Said bottom flange 31 has an upwardly and inwardly inclined inner portion 32, as clearly illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 9'. The innerv wall 29 and its fianges 30 and 31 are provided with a gap 33 forming an inwardly opening channel which eXtends vertically of the outer section 21 between an annular upper space 34 and an annular lower space 35; The space 34 is disposed between the upper flange or shoulder 30 and the inclined portion 27 and the space 35' is disposed between the lower flange 31 and the lip 24. The split ends of the inner wall 29 and its fianges 30 and 31, forming the gap 33, may be provided with walls 36 which extend inwardly from the flange 23 and which form side walls of the groove or channel 33. The notch 25 of the lip 24' aligns with the groove or channel 33, as seen in Figure 9. The outer section or Shell 21 is provided with an opening or window 37 formed in a part of the knurled band 26 and in alignment with the channel 33 and notch 25.

The inner cap or closure section 22 constitutes a substantially cap shapedmember having a substantially flat top wall 38 and a depending annular skirt 39 as best seen in Figu'res 3 and 9. A disk shapedl gasket 69' is disposed within the skirt 39 and against the underside of the top wall 38'. As best seen in Figures 3 and 6, the skirt 39 is provided witha plura'li'ty,` preferably three, integral extensions forming looking prongs 40 which extend downwardl'y from the bottom` edge of the skirt 39 and which have outwardly flared lower free ends 41. The prongs 40 are anchored to the skirt 39 only at the upper ends thereof, as seen at 42, substantially above the level of the bottom edge of the skirt. The skirt 39 is. provided with a pair of slots 43 straddling each prong and extending from the bottom edge thereof upwardly to the secured upper end 42 of the prong. The prongs 40 are preferably formed of a resilient material and normally form straight extensions of the skirt portion to which they are secured but are capable of being fiexed inwardly or outwardly. The skirt 39 is also provided with an external projection 44 disposed near to but spaced from its upper edge, as seen in Figure 6, forming a key. The key 44 has an outer end 45 which is preferably distinctively'colored, as for example red.

The inner cap section 22 is of a diameter to fit relatively snug but slidably and turn'ably in the outer cap section 21, the skirt 39 fitting turnably and slidably within the inner wall 29. The key 44 is passed upwardly through the notch and into the inwardly opening channel 33, as the inner section 22 is inserted upwardly into the outer cap section 21 through the open lower end thereof. As the inner section.22 approaches its nested position of Figure 3 within the outer section 21, the outwardly fiared prong ends 41 will strike the inturned lip 24 and by a camming action, the prongs 40 will be fiexed inwardly to permit the prong ends 41 to clear the lip 24. Said prong ends 41 will then spring outwardly into the space between the lip 24 and the bottom flange 31, with portions of the prong ends 41 bearing substantially fiush against the inclined flange portion 32, as illustrated in Figure 3. The prongs will then have assumed normal positions and the inner cap section 22 will then be nested in the outer cap section 21 and with the key 44 disposed in the channel 33, near the upper end thereof. The cap 20 as thus assembled is ready to be applied to a container neck 46, as best illustrated in Figures 2, 3 and 9. The container neck 46 which is hollow or tubular and has an open upper end 47 includes a cylindrical upper portion 48 of a proper diameter to slidably engage in the skirt 39 and therebeneath is provided with an annular downwardly tapered portion 49, the restricted lower end of which merges integrally with a downwardly flared collar portion 50, constituting the lower end of the neck.

The safety locking cap 20, from a position disposed above the neck 46, as seen in Figure 3, is advanced downwardly onto said neck 46. The upper neck portion 48 will enter the cap through its open bottom and will be advanced upwardly into the skirt 39 until the upper end 47 of the neck contacts the gasket 69, at which time the inner cap section 22 will be disposed as seen in Figures 2 and 9 and with the outer cap section 21 still disposed relative to the inner cap section, as seen in Figure 3. By exerting a further downward pressure on the outer section 21, said outer section will be caused to slide downwardly relative to the inner section to assume the position as seen in Figures 2 and 9 with the annular lip 24 disposed adjacent a part of the collar 50. During this movement of the section 21 relative to the section 22, the key 44 will move past the upper end of the channel 33 into the annular space 34. At the same time, the tapered flange portion 32 will be moving downwardly relative to the prongs 40 and by a camming engagement with the flared prong ends 41, will deflect the lower portions of the prongs 40 inwardly into substantially fiush engagement with parts of the downwardly tapered neck portion 49. The distal ends of the flared prong portions 41 will have moved into engagement with the inner wall 29 when the top wall 28 has reached a position in contact with the top wall 38 to prevent further downward displacement of the outer section 21 relative to the inner section 22. Accordingly, the prong portions 41 by engagement with the inner wall 29 will maintain portions of the prongs 40 in tight engagement with parts of the tapered neck portion 49 to prevent upward displacement of the inner cap section 22 relative to the neck 46 while said prongs 40 are so disposed, as seen in Figures 2 and 9. With the cap Sections 21 and 22 disposed in lowermost positions on the neck 46, the outer cap section 21 is rotated relative to the innel.`

cap section 22 to cause the key 44 to move in the annular space 34 to a position out of alignment with the groove or channel 33, as seen in Figures 2 and 4. When thus disposed, the key 44 engages on the upper flange or shoulder 30 to prevent upward displacement of the outer section 21 relative to the inner section 22 and since the inner section is locked by the prongs 40 in engagement with the neck portion 49, it will be apparent that the cap 20 is locked in a position for closing and sealing the open upper end of the neck 46.

In order to remove the cap 20, it is necessary to turn the outer section 21 relative to the inner section 22 until the end 45 of the key 44 is visible through the opening or window 37 to indicate that the key is then in alignment with the groove or channel 33. The outer cap section 21 can then be displaced upwardly relative to the inner cap section 22 and in so moving, the inner wall 29 will move upwardly relative to the prong ends 41 until said prong ends can spring outwardly into the space 35 between the lip 24 and bottom flange 31, as seen in Figure 3. The inner section will thus be latched to the outer section by engagernent of the prong ends 41 on the lip 24, so that the cap 20 can be removed as a unit from the neck 46. The cap Sections remain assembled as seen in Figure 3 so that the cap 20 can be readily replaced and locked on the neck 46, as previously described.

It will be obvious that the cap 20 cannot be removed from a locked position on the neck 46 by a young child and could not readily be removed in the dark. Thus, the cap is very effective for use on the necks of containers for poison or other contents which might be harmful to humans, since care rnust be taken in removing the cap and which will serve as a warning as to the contents of the container and which will prevent removal of the cap in the dark through inadvertency or mistake.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a slightly modified form of the cap, designated generally 20a, and which may be used in connection with the same container neck 46 but where the container does not contain a substance which is poisonous or dangerous to humans. The cap 20a ditfers from the cap 20 only in that the window 37 is omitted and the key 44a does not need to be provided with a colored end 45. In lieu of the window 37, the outer cap section 21a is provided with a raised portion 37a which extends upwardly from the upper flange or shoulder 30a on one side only of the groove or channel 33a. Said raised portion 37a forms an abutment so that when the inner cap section 22a is in a fully nested position in the outer cap section 21a and the key 44a is disposed above the upper end of the channel 33a, the outer section 21a can only be turned in one direction relative to the inner section 22a, for moving the abutment 37a away from the key 44a. To remove the cap from the neck 46a, which corresponds to the neck 46, the outer cap section 21a is merely rotated in the opposite direction or counterclockwise as seen in Figure 7 until the abutment 37a strikes the key 44a. At such time, the key will be in alignment with the groove 33a so that the outer cap section 21a can be raised to an unlocked position after which the cap 20a can be removed as a unit.

Figures 10 to 15 illustrate a slightly different form of the locking cap, designated generally 20b, and which is also composed of an outer cap section 21b and an inner cap section 22b. The cap section 21b includes a knurled portion 26b, an upwardly tapered portion 27h and a top wall 28b, which parts correspond to the parts 26, 27 and 28, respectively. However, the cap section 21b does not include a part corresponding to the cylindrical wall portion 23. The cap section 21b has a substantially cylindrical wall 29b, similar to the wall 29, having an outturned upper flange 30b which merges integrally with the bottom edge of the knurled portion 26h and which combines with said portion and the part 27b to form an annular inwardly' opening' recess; or Chamber 34h. Thev lower end of the. 29b= is pro.- vided with an annular flared' fl'ange 3117 in lieu ofv the bottom fiange 31` and which is provided with circurnferentially spaced inwardly projecting lug' portions 24b which replace the lip 2'4. The cap section 21b is provided with three channel shape portions 52 which are formed integral therewith and` which open inwardly through the wall 29h. The upper' en'ds of the channel shape portions 52 open through the fiange 301) and the lower ends thereofV open through the bottom flange 31b. Said channel members 52 form. three inwardly opening channels 53, 54 and 55 which areV spaced different distances apart, as seen in Figure 11. The knurled portion 26b is provided with an opening or window 37b which is disposed in alignment with the channel 53. The wall 29h beneath and adjacent the fiange 30b is provided with a dispensing opening 56 which is disposed between the channels 53 and 54 and which is preferably elongated circumferentially.

The inner cap section 22b includes a top wall 381) having a depending annular skirt 39b. A. gasket 69b is disposed in the skirt 39h against the inner side of the top wall 381). The skirt 39h is provided with three circumferentially spaced prongs` 40b which are' for-med integral with and depend from the skirt 39h, in theV same manner that the prongs 40 depend from the skirt' 39. The prongs 40b have outwardly fiared lower ends 41b, corresponding to the prong ends 41. The prongs 40b are also provided adjacent their lower 'en'ds with inwardly projecting spurs 57. Additionally, the prongs 4011 have undulated or wavy upper portions 58 for increasing the resiliency thereof. The skirt 39b, near a portion of its upper end and below the. gasket 69b is provided with a dispensing opening 59 which substantially correspond in size and shape with the opening 56. In lieu of the single key 44, the capv section 2217 is provided with three keys 60, 61 and 62 which project from the skirt 39b near its upper end and which are circumferentially spaced relative to one another in a manner corresponding to the spacing between the channels 53, 54 and 55. The outer face 63 of the key 60 is distinctively colored, preferably red, as seen in Figure 17.

The cap 201; is adapted for use' with a container neck 46h, which ditfers from thev container' neck 46 and which is illustrated in' Figures tor 14'. The. container neck 46h includes an upper annular portion 48b, a downwardly tapered portion 491) and a downwardly flared annular neck 50h, the upper restricted' end of which merges with the restricted lower end of the tapered neckiportion 49b. However, the enlarged upper end of the neck portion 4917 is substantially smaller in. 'diameter than the exterior diameter of the annular neck portion 4817 and is connected thereto by an annular downwardly fa'cing` 'shoulder 64 which is preferably provided with a beveled or rounded outer edge 65.

The cap 201) is applied to the neck 46b' with the cap Sections 2117 and 22`b separated. The inner cap section 2217 is first applied downwardly over the neck by springing the prongs 40h outwardly so that the spurs 57 will clear the neck portion 48h. The apron 3.9b is sized to fit relatively snug but slidably on the neck portion 48h and is advanced downwardly until the gask'et 691) abuts the upper open end of the neck 46h which, like the neck 46 is hollow. When the inner section is thus disposed, as seen in Figure 13, the spurs 57 are located substantially below the level of the shoulder 64. The outer cap section 21b is then applied over the inner cap section 22b. In applying the outer cap section Zlb, said section is initially turned so that the lugs 24h will clear the keys 60, 61 and 62. The outer section 21b is then turned to align the keys 60, 61 and 62 with the channels 53, 54 and 55, respectively, since said channels can only be simultaneously aligned with these respective keys. As the cap section 21b is thereafter moved downwardly relative to the: cap section' 2'2b, the lugs 24b will" pass the prong portions 4Ib', after' which' said. prong' portions will engage the bottom flange 31h. The prong portions 41b by a camming engagement. with the flange 31h will. cause the lower portions or prongs to be sprung inwardly to the position as shown in Figure 13-, after which the prong portions 41h will move into engagement with the inner side of' the wall 29b and the top wall 28h will seat on the top wall 38b, as seen in Figure 13. When the parts are thus disposed, the keys 60, 61' and' 62 will have as'- sumed positions in the recess 34b and' above the upper ends of the channels 53, 54 and 55'. The outer section 21b can then be turned in either direction relative to the inner section 221) to complete the locking of the cap 2017 in a fully closed position, as seen in Figure 13.v

When it is desired to dispense a part or all of the contents of the container of which the neck 46h forms a part, the outer cap section 21h is turned relative to the inner cap section 22h until the colored key' end 63 is visible through the window 37h, indicating that the keys 60', 61 and 62 are then in registration with the channels 53, 54 and 55, respectively, this being the onl-y position of the outer section relativeto the inner section in which all three keys Will align with the three channels. When thus disposed, the lu-gs 241) are in longitudinal alignment with the prongs' 4019. The outer section 21b is then pull'ed upwardly and slides relative to the inner section until the dispensing open'ings, 56 and 59 are in registration. At this time, the flangel 3117 is disposed so that the prong lportions 41'b may snap outwardly therebeneath and into engagement on the lugs 24h. The prongs 40b will then be disposed against the wall 2917. As the lugs 24h are en'gaging under the. prong portions 41h, the inner section 2.21) will thereafter move upwardly with the outer section 211) until the. spurs 57 contact the downwardly facingV shoulder 64, at which time the bottom edges of the dispensing openings 59 and 56 will be at approximately thev level of the upper end of the n'eck 4611. The contents of the container of which the neck forms' a part may then be dispensed through the registering openings 59 and 56.

To reseal' the cap 20h, it is only necessary to displace the outer capsection 21h downwardly for causin'g the cap sections to move as la unit until the inner cap section 2217 is` in its position of Figure 13,4 after which the outer cap section 21b can be displaced downwardly relative thereto vand back to its position as previously 'd'escribed and as illustrated in Figure 13. Thereafter, as previously described, the outer cap section 21b can be turned in either direction for relocking the cap in a fully closed position to seal the upper open end of the neck 46h. It will be noted that the cap 20h, once applied to the neck 46h is not removable.

Figure 16 shows a slightly different construction of container neck, designated generally 46c which may be used with the cap 20h, in lieu of the neck 46b. The neck 4.6c differs from the neck 46h only in that in lieu of the tapered portion 491), the neck 46a has an annular portion 67' extendin'g downwardly from the shoulder 64a, which corresponds` to the shoulder 64 and which annular portion 67 is of smaller vexternal diameter than the upper annular portion 48c of the neck. The neck 46a has a relatively short downwardly and1 inwardly' tapered portion 68 which extends downwardly from the lower end of the annular portion 67 and which merges with the upper restricted end of the bottorn neck portion 50a. The spurs 57 extend into the annular groove formed by the parts 50c and 68 when the cap 20b is in a fully closedl position as illustrated in Figure 13.

Various other modifications and changes are contemplated and may obviously bc resorted to, without departing from the function or scope of the invention as hereinafter defined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. The combination With a container neck having an upper or outer portion and a recessed portion disposed beneath or inwardly of said upper portion and of reduced size relatively to said upper portion; a safety locking cap comprising an outer section and an inner section, said inner section including a top wall and a depending annular apron sized to slidably engage over the upper portion of said neck, said apron having a plurality of resilient prongs extending downwardly therefrom and having outwardly flared terminal portions; said outer cap section including a substantially cylindrical wall sized to fit turnably and slidably around said apron and provided with an outwardly offset inwardly opening channel having open ends, said outer section including a top Wall having a depending annular portion, said cylindrical Wall having an outturned flange at the upper end thereof connecting with said depending annular portion of the top wall and defining an annular inwardly opening chamber disposed above said cylindrical Wall and in communication with the upper end of said inwardly opening channel, and said apron having a projection disposed adjacent a portion of the upper edge thereof and which is slidably recevable in said inwardly opening channel for positioning the inner cap section in a partially nested position within said outer cap section with the outwardly flared ends of the prongs disposed beneath the cylindrical wall of the outer section, for application of the assembled cap to the container neck, said outer cap section being displaceable downwardly relative to the inner cap section, when the inner section is disposed in a fully applied position on the container neck to cause said cylindrical wall to engage the outwardly flared prong ends to displace the lower portions of the prongs inwardly and into engagernent with the recessed neck portion and for causing saidprojection or key to be displaced through the upper end of said channel into the annular inwardly opening space disposed thereabove to permit rotation of the outer section relative to the inner section to move the key out of aligntnent with said channel and into a position above said outturned flange for looking the cap in a fully closed position on the container neck.

2. A structure as in claim 1, said outer cap section having means through which said key is visible only when the key is in alignrnent with said channel to facilitate removing the cap from the container neck.

3. A structure as in claim 1, said outer cap section having means disposed beneath and spaced from the bottom edge of said cylindrical wall for engagement beneath the flared lower ends of said prongs when the outer cap section is displaced upwardly relative to the inner cap section for disengaging said cylindrical wall from said outwardly flared prong ends and whereby the inner section is latched to the outer section in a partially rased position of said outer section relative to the inner section for removal of the cap from the container neck as a unit.

4. A structure as in claim 3, said means comprising an annular flange outwardly offset relative to said cylindrical wall and disposed substantially parallel to said first mentioned fiange of the cylindrical wall, said last mentioned flange having a notch aligning with said inwardly opening channel through which the key is movable into and out of engagement with the channel.

5. A structure as in claim 1, said outer cap section having an outer annular wall forming a dependng extension of a bottom edge of said annular depending portion and which is spaced outwardly from said cylindrical Wall, said cylindrical wall having a gap combining with a portion of said outer wall to define said inwardly opening channel.

6. A structure as in claim l, said prongs forming integral extensions of said apron and being secured to the apron at the upper ends only of said prongs and substantially above the level of the bottom edge of said apron.

7. A structure as in claim 1, said annular flange having a rased portion disposed on one side of the upper end of said inwardly opening channel and extending upwardly into said annular inwardly opening space, said rased portion forming an abutment whereby said outer cap section can be turned in only one direction for moving the key out of registration With the channel and to facilitatc repositioning the key in alignment with the channel When said outer cap section is rotated in the opposite direction to move said abutment into engagement with the key.

8. A structure as in claim 1, said neck having a shoulder disposed between the upper portion thereof and said recessed portion and facing toward the recessed portion, said prongs having inwardly extending spurs adjacent the lower ends thereof receivable in said recessed portion for engagement with said shoulder to limit up- Ward displacement of said inner section relative to the neck, said apron having a dispensing opening disposed above the upper end of said neck when said spurs are in engagement with the shoulder, and said cylindrical wall having a dispensing opening movable into registration with the dispensing opening of the apron when the apron dispensing opening is positioned above the dispensing neck.

9. A structure as in claim 8, and means carried by said cylindrical wall for engaging under the flared terminals of said prongs for displacing the inner cap section upwardly relative to the neck with said outer cap section to locate said openings in dispensing positions.

10. A structure as in claim 9, said recessed portion of the neck including an annular portion of reduced di- `ameter relative to the upper portion of the neck and a downwardly tapered portion disposed therebeneath and into which said spurs are displaceable when the inner section is displaced downwardly relative to the neck to a fully closed position.

ll. A structure as in claim 10, said prongs being of substantial length and having undulating portions disposed above said spurs for increasing the resiliency and fiexibility of the prongs.

` 12. A structure as in claim 1, said outer cap section having at least one additional inwardly opening channel, and said apron having at least one additional key, said keys and Channels being circumferentially spaced in a manner whereby the keys can be disposed to engage in said channels only when the first mentioned key is in alignment with said first mentioned channel.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 924,375 Peters June 8, 1909 

